Iran has announced the intensification of its centrifuges related to its nuclear programme and its intention to significantly expand its uranium enrichment capacity. These steps, according to experts, are a demonstration of force and a response to sanctions and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), The Jerusalem Post reports.
Representative of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran Behrouz Kamalvandi said that over the next 4-6 months, Tehran will install thousands of new modern centrifuges and accelerate the process of uranium enrichment. “The programme will become much broader and more advanced both quantitatively and qualitatively, which will create a new reality for Western countries,” Kamalvandi said.
Political motives and nuclear escalation
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stressed that these actions are a response to the “unfair resolution” adopted by the IAEA with the support of the United States and three European countries. Iran accuses the West of using its nuclear programme as a pretext to exert pressure and undermine the country’s sovereignty.
“They are trying to destroy the constructive cooperation between Iran and the IAEA by using our peaceful nuclear activities as a tool for political manipulation,” Qalibaf said.
Next steps
Iran’s strategy includes the creation of new infrastructure for uranium enrichment and the possible expansion of the programme towards weapons. Currently, Iran continues to publicly declare that its nuclear activities are peaceful, but the accumulation of enriched uranium and the development of technology bring the country closer to the possibility of creating nuclear weapons.
These actions take place against the backdrop of changes in international politics, in particular before the new US president takes office, which could lead to new challenges in the nuclear deal negotiations.
Experts warn that the escalation of Iran’s nuclear programme could exacerbate the conflict with the West and cause serious geopolitical consequences. Western countries are calling on Tehran to return to the negotiating table, but Tehran currently prefers to demonstrate its own strength.
